The world is saturated with pests. You have termites threatening furniture, grasshoppers and crickets damaging crop fields, bed bugs irritating you while in sleep mode, and ants and roaches scavenging for food in your home. These are only to name some. This pest in particular made a name for itself in New York, due to its exceptional and intimidating size. It’s so distinguished from other types of rat that it was dubbed “the New York rat.” This kind of rat remains to don this nickname to this day, as they can still be spotted in New York City. Unfortunately, rats can be anywhere, especially in your home. But, when there’s a pest, there’s a way to be rid of them. In fact, there are usually numerous ways to take care of a pest problem.

Rat Trap

The most common form of rat control. While rat traps may still be effective today, their effectiveness can be heightened. Set the cheese aside and experiment with peanut butter. A majority of pests are fond of foods that smell and/or taste sweet. Accompany the rat trap with a thread or thready material such as dental floss. Rats are actually quick enough to escape the rat trap’s grasp. The thread or dental floss will hold them long enough to be caught.

Rat Poison

There’s a nice variety of “rat killers” available to you at your local Home Depot or Walmart. Be sure to read the included directions of use. To be safe, don’t allow children and pets to come in contact with the rat poison, even if the product claims to be safe.

Seal Them Off

Any sized hole in walls or floors would suffice for rats to crawl through. Rats are capable of chewing their way through even the smallest of holes. Scan every wall in your home for holes or cracks. This includes bathrooms and behind the refrigerator. Seal the hole with wire containing a defense mechanism (spikes) and carefully surround it with sealant.

One important thing to keep in mind is clean up thoroughly after eating. Any trace of food will attract rats. And of course, take out the garbage 1-2 x daily or as needed. These are general rules of thumb for dealing with any kind of pest.

There are many things which can disturb us and greatly interfere with our daily lives, such as being constantly alert for mold, mildew, dust, certain insects……..In speaking of which, the existence of this certain insect dates back to tens of millions of years ago. You’ve guessed it. Roaches, like mostly any other insect, are naturally attracted to food. They also carry disease. Roaches are considered to be nocturnal. Detecting one any time during the day as they flee fast from your eyes may indicate that your home is infested. Fortunately, roaches have been around for so long that there are more than a handful of ways to win a roach invasion.

Insecticides

The most common form of killing roaches lies in an insecticide spray bottle. It delivers a quick reaction and is convenient to have. Today’s insecticides provide a temporary “mask” for your home over time. This mask can ward off roaches (and any other kind of insect) for days, weeks, and possibly months.

Roach Bait

When there’s ant bait, there’s roach bait. Roach bait behaves exactly like ant bait. Be sure to get the ones where you can see the bait itself. Also, position traps near dark shadowy areas such as underneath the refrigerator or oven. Don’t forget to place roach bait inside cabinets and cupboards.

Boric Acid

Products that contain, or are boric acid, would serve well alternatively. Additionally, they’re safe to use around the house. It’s still advisable to not ingest this chemical.

Cracks

Not only are cracks a means of gaining entry into your home for ants, but also roaches. Ensure that all cracks in the walls and floors of your home are completely sealed off.

As you can see, roaches can be dealt with just as easily as ants. Don’t forget to take out the garbage 1-2 times daily. Another helpful tip is roaches mostly thrive in warm to hot temperatures. Respectively, they would find your home distasteful and may not want to trespass if the air’s cool or circulating unfavorably.

Insects are undoubtedly everywhere in the world. All of them cover a vast range in size. Some are microscopic. Others are practically equivalent to the size of your hand! Certain ones are life-threatening to humans, while some are pleasant to have around. There is one in particular that’s commonly unwelcomed; the fly. Like a majority of insects, flies are mostly attracted to food, bodily waste, or anything that’s sweet. However, there’s also a good chance that they’ll pay you a visit regardless, just to simply “bug” you. One could not take a stroll through the park peacefully without hearing a buzzing sound. Below are some ways on how to deal with those irritating pests.

Fly Swatter

One of the most commonly used traditional anti-fly weapons. Although fly swatters do the trick, quick reflexes are somewhat required. Flies somehow manage to predict when you’re going to draw. Thus, they flee just in time. A fly swatter is convenient and good to have, nonetheless.

Bug Zapper

Another traditional anti-fly device. And you know what, it works outstandingly! If you currently own one and are actively using it, then ensure that it’s scatter-proof (doesn’t emit a mist of fly left-overs). It’s imperative that bug zappers are to be placed outside of your home. There’s a considerable amount of indoor-based anti-fly weapons that are available to you.

Flypaper

Although uncommonly used, flypaper is just as effective as a bug zapper. The only difference is flypaper may require to be disposed of and changed regularly. Flypaper is an adhesive that contains a sweet scent for attracting flies. Inquire about non-poisonous flypaper at your local department store.

Electric Fly Swatter

While electric fly swatters may be more ergonomic than a normal fly swatter, they are not a toy. Electric fly swatters take the shape of a typical tennis racket. A good alternative to the regular fly swatter.

With this arsenal of anti-fly weaponry, your life would be significantly more comfortable. To help reduce those disturbing flying visitors, change out your garbage at least twice daily and be attentive to crumbs on the floor and table.

Flies may rule above, holding the title “Arguably the Most Annoying Air-Insect in the World.” For one thing, there’s practically an infinite number of flies that are existent around the globe. Insects surround us throughout our normal daily lives, both in mid-air and the ground. Respectively, there must be a ruler from below. Based on the population of this particular insect seemingly matching that of a fly’s, the ant takes the throne for ruling the ground. You recall those ant holes in your front or backyard, don’t you? Fortunately, ants are relatively easy to deal with.

Liquid Bait

Liquid ant bait requires minimal patience. While it doesn’t fulfills its purpose as fast as you may want it to, it’s designed to kill both the ant that takes the liquid bait and the colony. The way it works is an ant collects some of the liquid bait, returns to its colony, and shares with fellow ants. Liquid ant bait is technically time-released. It gives the ant enough time to return to its home and split the finding. One thing is certan; the source (colony) will be killed off.

Caulk

Ants have a handful of entrances that lead to the inside of your home. They can enter through even a slight crack in the wall. Caulking an opening in the wall of any room will help keep ants out from invading your home. If it’s in your price range, then silicone caulk will be your prime choice. It doesn’t discolor and sticks exceptionally well. Regular caulk would work as well.

Tree-Trimming

Besides being detected on the ground, ants can also be found climbing up and down trees. They can also be seen on leaves. Ants can actually use trees as a means of entering your home, if the trees are close enough. Remove this mode of transportation from them by cutting a portion of whichever branches are touching your home.

In addition to these tips on dealing with ants, take the same precautions as you would with flies:

Once you hear the scratching of mouse feet on the wall it’s time to go on the offensive to get rid of mice. Once it starts to get colder outside, mice look for warmer places to move to usually garages or warm homes.

There are usually several ways mice can get into a house. Plugging up or patching these spots is like finding a needling in a hay stack, so we have to take extra preventive measures by using the exterminator system below.The system below is the same system exterminators use when they come out and you pay them hundreds of dollars. Trust me I know, I’ve paid it twice and then documented the second time so I didn’t have to pay $250 again 😉 I’m sharing it with you for FREE.

3. Using the packets from step 1 spread those through out the attic. Note: You don’t actually have to walk into the attic, you can simply throw the bait cubes around the perimeter of the attic. Some exterminators reccomend adding a dash of peanut butter to the bait cubes because the mice can smell the peanut butter easier leading them to the bait cube fast. This is a good idea, but not 100% necessary!

4. Use the mice wedge bait from step 1 starting in the garage. It’s also a good idea to put a bait wedge on each side of the house. If you have pets it’s ideal to use a Mice Bait Box.

5. After setup is complete it takes about 5-7 days to take full effect. Generally after the mice ingest the bait they get really thirsty and go searching for water in the wild and do not return.

6. If the problem persists you may consider adding more bait packets to the attic and some more bait boxes around the perimeter of your house or building.

Mice in walls is a common problem and not something to be alarmed about. Generally they are field mice and harmless to humans and pets.

Fleas survive by feeding on mammal blood when they are adults. When they are young, they consume the dry blood that the adult fleas excrete. If this isn’t a pest that you want sharing your home with you, follow the advice listed hear.

Environmental Eradication

When possible, fleas make their homes on the animals the use for food. The eggs they lay will be found mostly in the surrounding environment such as the carpet, pet bedding, clothing and lots of other areas. It takes a week or two for the eggs to hatch. Once this happens the young flea larvae live in the same place for a long time until they finally mature into pupae. This can take up to 200 days. Once they become pupae, they can survive dormant for a year or more waiting for the right moment to become an adult and find a host. This is why your first step needs to be to thoroughly clean every possible place where eggs and larvae could be present.

Getting Started

Step 1. Find a place to quarantine all pets.Step 2. Gather up everything your pet comes in contact with and thoroughly wash them with soap and hot water. If you can’t properly clean it, dispose of it. The eggs look like grains of salt, with pepper sprinkled around, which is the dried blood defecated by the adultsStep 3. Thoroughly vacuum everywhere possible, including furniture and anywhere else you pet spends time. Eggs are fairly easy to vacuum up, but the larvae will cling to the fibers and you probably won’t remove them by vacuuming. Once you finish, take the bag out of the machine and either dispose of it outside or seal it in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for several hours. Afterward you can reuse the bag. Step 4. To get rid of the stubborn larvae clinging to the carpet fibers, you’ll need the services of a professional cleaner with steam cleaning equipment. If you choose not to go this route, you can also thoroughly clean the carpet using a shampoo that contains an anti-flea insecticide. One final solution is infrared heat treatment that professional exterminators can perform.Step 5. Don’t forget to treat the pet’s outdoor areas by flushing the area with lots of soap and water.

Removing Fleas from People and Pets

When you have the indoor flea problem taken care of, it’s time to move to the host and attack the adult fleas directly.

Removal from Humans

Step 1. Humans should bathe at least daily and twice daily is better. Wash the hair thoroughly.Step 2. Comb hair, especially long hair, using a specially designed flea comb that grabs the fleas as it passes through the hair. Dip it in soapy water to remove the fleas. Keep track of any fleas you remove so you can track the infestation and determine if the population is continuing to increase. There are other ways of tracking the flea population, such as purchasing and wearing a special pair of flannel flea booties, which trap the fleas in the material allowing you to count and dispose of the fleas. But as long as you know for sure that the population is decreasing, that’s sufficient

Removal from Pets

You must take care when treating your pets for fleas. Make sure that the treatment product you are using is designed for the type of pet you are using it on. If you use a dog flea treatment on a cat, illness or even death can occur. Make sure you read the directions thoroughly and follow any precautions listed.

Step 1. The first step is to bathe your pet in warm, soapy water. You can use special shampoos that contain anti-flea insecticide, but normal shampoo will also work. Do not use insecticidal shampoos that contain DEET, which can cause allergic reactions. One non-toxic flea shampoo that contains insecticide is Safer’s flea shampoo.Step 2. Use the special flea comb on your pet at least once daily. Dip the comb in soapy water to remove them from the comb and dispose of them. This also allows you to keep track of the flea population. Some people choose to wrap tape around their hands with the sticky side out and pat down their animal. This works well for short hair animals but isn’t very effective on pets with long hair.

Flea Bite Allergies

In some people, flea bites cause an allergic reaction that leads to dermatitis. Lesions can also form and the bite are extremely itchy. A variety of products that will relieve the symptoms are available, such as calamine, camphor and menthol. Ice also works well. To prevent the fleas from biting you in the first place, you can use one of the available insect repellents that contain DEET. This should be applied to your clothing only. Do not apply it to your skin or to your pets. Some B vitamins are also effective flea repellents. A daily B-complex vitamin is an effective deterrent. Doctors can prescribe allergen treatments to those people with severe reations to flea bites. These are effective in treating the flea bite allergy. If you notice hair loss in your pet, you might suspect that they too have a flea allergy. The most common areas are around the base of the tail and the feet. You’ll probably notice the pet chewing the area often. Animals with bad health or a poor diet are more susceptible to flea allergies so make sure they are in good health and eating well

Continuous Flea Control Measures

Once you take care of the initial flea infestation, you need to take measures to ensure the infestation doesn’t return and to get of any remaining fleas that could cause the problem to return. If you allow them to reproduce, the infestation will return quickly. This section consists of a guide to help you keep the flea problem from returning.

Flea Prevention Procedures

Step 1. Keep you pets confined to areas of the house that are easy to clean and to treat. Areas with lots of hiding place like basements and garages should be avoided.Step 2. Frequent vacuuming is very important. The best plan is to vacuum every day. This will help get rid of any fleas that hatch from the eggs that were missed. Don’t forget to remove the vacuum bag and either put it in the freezer or dispose of it.Step 3. Make sure your pet’s bedding is of a type that can be easily washed. If your pets likes to lay on a carpeted area, put down a towel that you can change out and wash often.Step 4. Wash your pets as frequently as possible and comb them with the flea comb every day. Track the number of fleas you find to ensure the population is not surging, which means you might need to perform another in-depth cleaning.

In Extreme Situations

If for some reason, the steps you’ve taken to rid yourself of your flea problem haven’t been successful, you may need to take more extreme measures and perform additional tasks.

Step 1. You can purchase and apply a substance called an insect growth regulator to your environment. This is a liquid that contains either methoprene or fenoxycard that will inhibit the growth cycle of the fleas and can be effective for up to 200 days per treatment.Step 2. Continue to wash outdoor areas using soap and water to flush away the fleas.Step 3. Use flea control measures such as flea powders, sprays and flea collars. The collars remain very potent and can cause health problems if used for too long. As soon as you determine that the fleas are gone, remove the collar. When using the collar, check your pet often for problems such as irritation underneath the collar.Step 4. Frequently clean your carpets with insecticide shampoo or a steam cleaner.

As a last option, it’s time to call the professional exterminators and let them use more sophisticated equipment.

Products to Control Fleas

Although there are several chemical products available that can help control fleas, you should only use them as a last resort when soap and water will not work. These can cause health problems in many animals, especially when used long term. There are also some natural products that are much safer.

Growth Inhibitors

Insect growth inhibitors interrupt the natural life cycle of young fleas. These treatments are very effective and can control flea problems for up to 200 days. The larvae, eggs and pupae are prevented from continuing to mature into adult fleas. Make sure that you are using other methods such as vacuuming, bathing pets and washing bedding to make sure the inhibitors are as effective as possible.

Citrus Based Products

Flea control products made from the extract of citrus fruit peels are safe. They are most effective if several different types of citrus products are used in conjunction since certain products interfere with different cycles of flea development. The products are most effective when used to clean and treat bedding. If you plan to use the products on your pets, make sure the EPA has rated them safe for such use. If you are in doubt, check with your vet.

Dusts

Another method is a substance called a sorptive dust. One type of sorptive product is made out of diatomaceous earth. These products dehydrate the fleas causing them to die. These products are safe to use on both carpets and directly on your pets. When applying it to carpet, keep pets away and wear a dust mask to protect your lungs. When applying to pets, long haired pets will need a second application. Once you dust the pets, keep them in a confined area for a while to give the fleas time to encounter the product. Active pets can cause the dust to fall off. Once you treat the animal, do not allow them to get wet or bathe them for several days. Consult with your vet before using this type of product on a cat.

Pyrethrins

A very safe and non-toxic flea product is made of pyrethrin and comes from the chrysanthemum flower. As long as the pyrethrin concentration is less than .04%, it is safe for pets. Be aware that pyrethrin comes with a more toxic product called piperonyl butoxide, which is toxic to both humans and animals.

Flea collars

Flea collars are simply a vessel for insecticides that are omitted in vapor form. For short term use they are fairly safe but prolonged exposure can cause health problems in animals and humans both. When using flea collars, check your pet’s skin for signs of irritation and only use the collar as long as you have a flea problem. When not in use the collars should be sealed in a plastic bag.

Electronic Devices
You will often see ultrasonic devices for sale but these have been proven to be ineffective. It’s better to use proven methods of flea eradication and control than to waste money on a product that won’t solve your problem

Bedbugs are growing in notoriety and becoming more and more common in hotels and motels around the world. How to effectively get rid of them has therefore become a common topic of discussion in the news and in periodicals. These little blood suckers can easily hitchhike on your clothes or even your body and make it into your home. Bedbugs aren’t just disgusting and annoying, they can cause several health problems. Allergies to them are common and their bites cause painful blisters. If you discover an infestation, you’ll certainly be in the market for an effective technique for eradicating them. It’s not easy to do, but it’s not impossible, and certainly worth the effort.

Initial Preparations

When you discover an infestation, the first thing to do is thoroughly clean the area. This especially means removing anything that can give them shelter and provide places to hide. Some culprits are area rugs, old clothes and even toys like stuffed animals. If you don’t want to discard them, wash them thoroughly. This will get rid of both the bedbugs and their eggs. You can prevent re-infestation by storing the items in sealed plastic bags. Items hanging on the wall such as clocks and poster also provide refuge for the pests. Remove the items during the cleaning process. Once the room is as bare and free of hiding places as possible, the next step is to seal off the entry routes. This means sealing cracks, windows and doors. The mattress is the next step. If the mattress has holes in in where the bugs can enter, it will be all but impossible to rid it of the creatures and you’ll probably need to replace it. If the mattress appears to be in good condition, you can leave in in the room during the treatment.

Main Treatment

The most common and a very effective treatment is to use insecticides, either natural or chemical. Find an insecticide that is effective against bedbugs. Most will either be in aerosol form or dust. To be extra sure of an effective treatment, use both. They are each better suited for some areas or others. The dust is also more effective long-term. Spread the insecticide around the room, paying special attention to dark areas where they like to hide, such as under the bed. Make sure to spread the dust around the baseboards and around and under furniture. Wait about a week and repeat the process. Wait one more week and perform a final dusting and spraying. Make sure that you also treat under the mattress and in closets where clothes and luggage have been stored.

Alternate Treatments

There are several other treatments available that are also effective if you prefer not to use the insecticides. A couple common treatments include heat treatment and suffocation, both of which must be performed by professional exterminators equipped with the necessary tools. An extensive collection of procedures, information about the various methods, tips and preventative products are available on the how to kill bedbugs page.